How to observe Ekadasi
Sadhana · asked by user [] · 2009-12-12 · 6 answers
Hare Krishna Prabhus:
Pamho. AgtSP!
I was wondering if someone could clarify my doubt related to observing ekadasis. I try to observe them nirjal and I am trying to find out if I can drink water before the sunrise on the ekadasi day. For now, I drink water before the midnight the night before and then break my fast the day after at the recommended "break fast" time. I am asking this as a Hindu Vaishnava person told me that Ekadasis are to be observed from sunrise to sunrise.
Pamho. AgtSP!
I was wondering if someone could clarify my doubt related to observing ekadasis. I try to observe them nirjal and I am trying to find out if I can drink water before the sunrise on the ekadasi day. For now, I drink water before the midnight the night before and then break my fast the day after at the recommended "break fast" time. I am asking this as a Hindu Vaishnava person told me that Ekadasis are to be observed from sunrise to sunrise.
user [38] · 2009-12-12
I havent seen any prohibition to this. If one argues that brahma muhurta is already a part of the new day then the water could be drunk before it.user [366] · 2009-12-12
There are a few different ways to observe Ekadasi, from the most spiritually potent, to least.1. Nirjal Ekadasi - No Water
2. Drinking Only Water
3. Eating only fruits and nuts, once in the evening.
4. Eating only fruits and nuts once in the afternoon.
5. Eating a meal in the evening, with no beans or grains.
6. Eating a meal in the afternoon, with no beans or grains.
7. Abstaining from beans and grains only, but eating regularly (The least restricting).
However, be careful and not to over extend yourself in doing these fasts. Hardly many people can do all Ekadasis as Nirjal. I myself have to drink water, but thats only if I dont do much physical activities that day. I act accordingly to the time and circumstances. The only time I ever do Nirjal (and only in certain circumstances) is Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi, otherwise I just drink water or eat something.
However, dont be so attached to not eating anything. Sometimes you may need to eat three meals a day. Just respond naturally to your body.
No beans and grains, on top of following the four regulative principles (no meat eating, no garlic/onions, no intoxicants, no illicit sex, and no gambling.) Its also advised to increase devotional activities on this day. So if you chant on japa mala, then chant more rounds then you usually would. Or if you dont, then read the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam.
Just follow your instinct. If you have to eat, then eat. The important thing is to keep chanting and doing devotional service, but you must abstain from beans and grains. Unless youre a preacher.
user [482] · 2009-12-12
It would be good if someone can highlight me on what can be used in cooking non-grain items. Some websites say eggplant and mustard cannot be used, where as others say they are allowed - what is the most authoritative source for the what can be used in ekadesi non grain cooking ?user [38] · 2009-12-12
The GV standard is Haribhaktivilasa. Some acaryas give lesser standards.user [190] · 2009-12-13
Thanks Veda for the clarification. Btw, how many hours before the sunrise does the brahma-muhurta start?user [482] · 2009-12-13
Muhurta details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MuhurtaBM is about 2 hours prior to sunrise